An overconfident Utah team overlooked Boston today, and ended up paying for it with a 84-70 loss. The mentality could be excused, as Boston came in as huge favorites and the game should have been a walk in the park. But some comments along those lines by Utah players got Boston fired up and ready to play. Said Utah star Hurd coming in, "We're not worried about this one. It's tough to take a team like Boston seriously, but it'll be a good tune-up and chance to try out our fifth-stringers."

"I don't blame them for being confident," said Boston coach Bob. "I'd have probably the same way coming in, if I were in his shoes, but you've got to be a little wiser in what you say in front of the press. Our team really took it personally, especially Owens who was singled out as the 'leader of the losers', and we were ready to let them have it when the game started."

Boston was led by Owens (19 points, 5 boards, 0 assists, a block), Woodard (17 points, 6 boards, 1 assists, a steal), Morse (14 points, 1 assists, 2 blocks). Utah was led by Hurd (13 points, 1 assists), Patton (9 points, 5 boards, 1 assists), Feaster (8 points, 6 boards, 0 assists, a block).

Boston jump to 8-22 and 6-10 at home. They hold at #5 in the Atlantic and move up to #14 overall in the Eastern Conference. Utah are now 18-11. They stay at #2 in the Northwest and hold at #5 overall in the Western Conference.

box score Boston roster Utah* roster